I have had an enormous amount of help from Tania & owe her a great deal of thanks for lending me her wonderful website designer Steve.

Comments from all of you would be very welcome, wherever you live, but remember it is designed for potential pet buyers in the UK who know very little about cavaliers.

It is hard to write about such complex matters in a simple way and I would like to know what people think.

I will be adding a contact page, an information & links page, and probably a 'Looking to the Future' page ( Ruperts Fund, Cavalier Collection, possibly a very brief mention of BVA/KC Scheme, EBVs, & Genome Research? )

I will be starting a blog to talk about the things that are not discussed openly, but should be.

GraciesMom

20th February 2011, 02:26 PM

This is a WONDERFUL resource and you can tell how much love and effort went into it. If I could give a Cavalier Award to you I would. :mexwav:

Fifer

20th February 2011, 03:22 PM

Excellent website Margaret, you've avoided the pitfall of being too scientific which can put new owners off, whilst giving the facts clearly and in layman terms.

I particularly like the fact that you included examples of genuine certificates because many new puppy owners would not know what they looked like if they asked to see them.

Sandrac

20th February 2011, 03:29 PM

Margaret, Well done -an excellent site. It is simple and easy to understand but very informative. The copy certificates are also be so useful, when I got Cinders I was shown a certificate but now know it was just a bit of paper signed by a vet.

Just love the puppy photos. It will be fantastic to have somewhere to point prospective cavalier buyers to.:rah:

HollyDolly

20th February 2011, 04:07 PM

Is Episodic Falling & Dry Eye/Curly Coat something you will add later Margaret?

Nanette

Margaret C

20th February 2011, 04:48 PM

Is Episodic Falling & Dry Eye/Curly Coat something you will add later Margaret?

Nanette

I would actually like to have some opinions from the cavalier owners here about how much I should add?.

I was concentrating on health problems that have a certificated test and are part of the Cavalier Club's Code of Best Practice.

I was going to say on the information page that there are other cavalier health problems, mention them by name, & put a link to Rod's www.cavalierhealth.org (http://www.cavalierhealth.org) website.

I would be interested in what members think are other common health problem in cavaliers? Obviously slipping patella, hips, deafness, anal glands, allergies? The list could be too depressingly long?

It is not what one could call a "bundle of laughs" website as it is, & I do not want too many prospective pet buyers switching off & going elsewhere.

Many of them will not read it properly anyway, so if they just leave with a sense there are two main health problems & they should ask for certificates, realistically that will be better than nothing.

I do want to put a contact message that says something like, 'if I can do anything more to help or explain please fill in this form'

Tania

20th February 2011, 05:05 PM

It might be an idea to give a short explanation of some of the common problems, when people are looking this information it is ready to hand eg. Knee, hips etc.

This is what I triend to do with Cavaliermatters, brief description then a link to more informative information eg. www.episodicfalling.com (http://www.episodicfalling.com) and of course Rods website! As you say the list is depressingly long and from what I have read in the last couple of days it is longer than I originally thought:(

We need plenty of easy to understand information relating to SM/CM and MVD so I think it would be good if this was the main focus.

A help form is a great idea.

RodRussell

20th February 2011, 05:40 PM

I love the website. The more puppy pix, the better, and you have a lot of them.

On the Eyes page, you write:

"Although not a major concern at this time, Cavaliers should be tested for inherited eye problems."

I think some eye problems can be major concerns. A quite common one, from my experience, is dry eye. Ignoring dry eye can lead to ulcers and then possibly to cataracts. I suggest that you include a brief discussion of dry eye and that you recommend that the dogs' eyes be examined annually for these disorders.

Bet

20th February 2011, 06:24 PM

I love the website. The more puppy pix, the better, and you have a lot of them.

On the Eyes page, you write:

"Although not a major concern at this time, Cavaliers should be tested for inherited eye problems."

I think some eye problems can be major concerns. A quite common one, from my experience, is dry eye. Ignoring dry eye can lead to ulcers and then possibly to cataracts. I suggest that you include a brief discussion of dry eye and that you recommend that the dogs' eyes be examined annually for these disorders.

MY CAVALIER PUPPY WEBSITE IS NOW UP AND RUNNING

Margaret ,

What a Wonderful WEBSITE.

It is so Good that you have Emphasised the need for Prospective Cavalier Puppy Buyers the Importance to see Health Certificates and to know about the Breeding Guidelines.

Information like this has been needed for such a Long Time.

Will you be able to add ,for the Benefit of Cavalier Puppy Buyers , the Names of those Cavalier Breeders who have Cavalier Puppies for Sale and have Health Tested and followed Breeding Guidelines for both SM and MVD in their Cavalier Breeding Stock?

Bet

MadPip

20th February 2011, 06:51 PM

I've only had time for a brief skim through, but it is looking good. Not too much information on each page, some lovely pictures (I'm biased because Pippin is on there. :)). I think adding links to more weighty scientific sites is a good idea, so if people want to read about the health problems in a lot more depth they know where to look.

A very good idea to put copies of genuine health certificates on there as well.

A help/ contact form is also a good idea if you can get that added.

Overall a :thmbsup: from me. Now when people ask I'll direct them to your site (and hope and pray that they listen. I haven't had much luck persuading people it's worth it to wait for the right puppy from the right breeder so far.:( )

Margaret C

20th February 2011, 06:56 PM

MY CAVALIER PUPPY WEBSITE IS NOW UP AND RUNNING

Margaret ,

What a Wonderful WEBSITE.

It is so Good that you have Emphasised the need for Prospective Cavalier Puppy Buyers the Importance to see Health Certificates and to know about the Breeding Guidelines.

Information like this has been needed for such a Long Time.

Will you be able to add ,for the Benefit of Cavalier Puppy Buyers , the Names of those Cavalier Breeders who have Cavalier Puppies for Sale and have Health Tested and followed Breeding Guidelines for both SM and MVD in their Cavalier Breeding Stock?

Bet

No, I won't put names up, but I hope to make it clear on the website that I may be able to give helpful contacts if buyers get in touch with me.

I don't ever recommend breeders, because I cannot know for sure that anyone is breeding every litter to the guidelines.
I will pass on names of breeders that tell me they breed to the guidelines, but make it plain that it is the buyer's responsibility to know how to check out the certificates.

Kate H

20th February 2011, 07:40 PM

Looks a really useful site, Margaret - well done and thank you.

What I really need is a card that I can carry in my pocket and give out to the many people who ask me where they can get a Cavalier puppy - just a nice picture and links to your site and Cavalier Matters. Might it be possible for someone to design and organise it and then sell them in aid of Rupert's Fund? I know I haven't got time at the moment (because of work), but I really need something!

Kate, Oliver and Aled

Brian M

20th February 2011, 08:17 PM

Hello Kate

This is the business card I am always giving out to people, thanks to Tania .This weekend I have passed five onto various people and as I mentioned on previous posts as I am driving about if I spot anybody out with a Cavalier I pull over have a quick talk (just to weigh them up ) and then suggest looking at Cavaliermatters and Cavaliertalk and leave a card with them .Luke hides in his seat and thinks I am a loony ,probably right .

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5038829414_3e75ae4d43.jpg[
Ignore the bottom bit.I havent come across many who have heard about SM or MVD or Cavalier Clubs or chat forums apart from one lady who beeds local and is on the KC ACB list but I know they dont do any health tests at all .:(

Tania

20th February 2011, 08:53 PM

Looks a really useful site, Margaret - well done and thank you.

What I really need is a card that I can carry in my pocket and give out to the many people who ask me where they can get a Cavalier puppy - just a nice picture and links to your site and Cavalier Matters. Might it be possible for someone to design and organise it and then sell them in aid of Rupert's Fund? I know I haven't got time at the moment (because of work), but I really need something!

Kate, Oliver and Aled

I am happy to sort this out with Margarets permission of course ! :thmbsup:

HollyDolly

20th February 2011, 11:18 PM

Maybe we could all print off cards with the links to Margarets site and Tania's etc,
and as well as handing them out take them to as many vets in our area as possible.

Nanette

anniemac

20th February 2011, 11:41 PM

Well done! I think links to rods site for more in depth health issues and short simple best. Personally my head spins with all the health issues so to keep puppy buyers not turned off, pictures of certificates very helpful.

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anniemac

20th February 2011, 11:48 PM

I also like that You add pet insurance.

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anniemac

21st February 2011, 12:06 AM

I also like that You add pet insurance.

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lovecavaliers

21st February 2011, 12:43 AM

That looks wonderful Margaret. I wish I had been referred to such a site when I was buying my puppy (although I wouldn't trade Jack for the world).

I think it will make a lot of people think twice about where they are getting their new cavie.

Thanks for doing this:)

PS Brian I love the picture, that's your girls?

Mindysmom

21st February 2011, 02:14 AM

I think you've done a really good job. I think focusing on the most serious health issues is best and I like how you reiterate that it is the buyers responsibility to verify what the breeder has said - and pointing out that a breeder cannot guarantee the puppy will never have health problems. It was actually in my contract with Rylie that I understood that despite the health testing of parents(which I was provided copies of) there was no guarantee that Rylie wouldn't develop SM or MVD.

Jasper and Holly

21st February 2011, 02:21 AM

What a fantastic job you have done Margaret. Well done it looks great. :w*w::jmp2:

Bet

21st February 2011, 11:15 AM

What a fantastic job you have done Margaret. Well done it looks great. :w*w::jmp2:

MY CAVALIER PUPPY BUYING ADVICE IS NOW UP AND RUNNING

I just had a Coffee and another read at Margaret's WEB SITE.

What has struck me ,is it not a such a Shame that Cavaliers can give Pleasure but ,and this is a Big But ,so Many Tears and Heart Ache to many of us who love Cavaliers , that Prospective Buyers of Cavaliers have to be being Advised about how to go about Buying a Cavalier because of their SM and MVD Problems .

Bet

Brian M

21st February 2011, 03:53 PM

Hello Irene

Thats my four left to right Poppy, Lily, Daisy and Rosie .Below is a link to a video of the four of them going banana's on holiday last year.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22730263@N07/4801971358/

Bet

21st February 2011, 05:47 PM

Hello Irene

Thats my four left to right Poppy, Lily, Daisy and Rosie .Below is a link to a video of the four of them going banana's on holiday last year.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22730263@N07/4801971358/

MY CAVALIER PUPPY BUYING ADVICE WEBSITE IS NOW UP AND RUNNING

Thanks Brian , what a Lovely Video.

Bet

Zumie05

21st February 2011, 07:19 PM

I just checked out the site, it is great! It gets to the point quickly which is good because a lot of times people just skim through information and don't read everything.

It is also easy to navigate, layed out very well. Super job well done!

Jasper and Holly

21st February 2011, 10:06 PM

Hello Irene

Thats my four left to right Poppy, Lily, Daisy and Rosie .Below is a link to a video of the four of them going banana's on holiday last year.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22730263@N07/4801971358/

Hi Brian, that video is great my two go crazy like that too. Holly is just like Rosie she always tackles Jasper! It's great to see them having fun.

team bella

21st February 2011, 10:19 PM

What a great site Margaret. cl*p Packed with essential information for potential puppy buyers. The more people who read the info on this site, and then use that info the better. The more buyers who request to see certificates and demand a health checked puppy/parents, the better.
Spread the word people as it important for this breed to survive. Cavaliers are just too lovely to suffer these health problems.

Spangly

23rd February 2011, 02:55 PM

It`s a great idea Margaret and should prove very helpful and informative for potential puppy buyers. I agree with others who have said that we need a card we can hand to people. I have many people talking to me during the year about Cavaliers whilst on my stalls and I do give them details of Cavaliertalk, cavaliermatters, and the collection scheme, but it would be great to perhaps, put them all together (probably including Rupertsfund??

Clairelou

23rd February 2011, 07:03 PM

A fantastic resource, big thumbs up here :) it's great to have somewhere to point prospective puppy buyers to.

Margaret C

23rd February 2011, 07:51 PM

A fantastic resource, big thumbs up here :) it's great to have somewhere to point prospective puppy buyers to.

Thank you for the compliments and thank you to those that let me use their puppy photos.

I have just about finished now. Just the contact form to be put on. Steve, who is Tania's wonderful website designer is organising that for me.

I have added an 'More Information' page & a 'Future' page which has a link to Ruperts Fund, The Cavalier Collection, this forum and Tania's cavaliermatters.

I have had great fun moving photos around, but I am resisting the temptation to add many more details as the idea was to make it a simple site for new buyers.

I just wanted to give information about the three inherited diseases that are detailed in the Cavalier Club Code of Best Practice, and make buyers aware that all responsible breeders would have certificates issued after the parents were over two and a half years old.

Desrae

23rd February 2011, 08:59 PM

I just had the chance to look at your site. Well done Margaret!:thmbsup: It's a great way to inform potential owners of cavalier king charles spaniels. I really like what you have at the bottom of the site regarding bringing a cavalier puppy home, a warning on the risk of having a dog living with pain and a family who's hearts could get broken...

I knew about the MVD in cavaliers, but knew absolutely nothing about SM and wish I had been armed with this information. If it hadn't been for an article in a magazine and for the Cavaliertalk site, I would not have been aware of SM at all. Thanks for taking the time to design and implement such an informative site.

Margaret C

2nd March 2011, 08:36 PM

I have been tinkering with the website ( www.cavalierpuppy.co.uk (http://www.cavalierpuppy.co.uk) ) and have added a little bit more advice on 'Buyers Beware' and the health certificates on the 'Health Problems' page can now be enlarged.

I have added a blog.................How did it happen? (http://cavalierpuppy.co.uk/03/2011/377/) , which starts:-

"One of the most puzzling things to Cavalier breeders is how the neurological disease syringomyelia ( SM ) suddenly seems to have become so widespread in the breed?"

There is a ( moderated ) comment box, so I am hoping to get a few interesting points of view.

Bet

3rd March 2011, 11:00 AM

I have been tinkering with the website ( www.cavalierpuppy.co.uk (http://www.cavalierpuppy.co.uk) ) and have added a little bit more advice on 'Buyers Beware' and the health certificates on the 'Health Problems' page can now be enlarged.

I have added a blog.................How did it happen? (http://cavalierpuppy.co.uk/03/2011/377/) , which starts:-

"One of the most puzzling things to Cavalier breeders is how the neurological disease syringomyelia ( SM ) suddenly seems to have become so widespread in the breed?"

There is a ( moderated ) comment box, so I am hoping to get a few interesting points of view.

MY CAVALIER PUPPY ADVICE WEBSITE IS NOW UP AND RUNNING.

The New additional Comments do give Food for Thought.

Bet

Margaret C

3rd March 2011, 07:33 PM

MY CAVALIER PUPPY ADVICE WEBSITE IS NOW UP AND RUNNING.

The New additional Comments do give Food for Thought.

Bet

Thank you Bet for putting in a comment.

I intend to use the blog to comment a little on cavalier breed club politics, the secrecy that surrounds the new health council, progress on health research, the urgent need for the promised official heart scheme. All the same old stuff that can be so boring but is so necessary if the future health of our cavaliers is to be improved.

I am hoping that some of the breeders that so bitterly complain they have no right of reply on this forum will take the chance to engage in (polite) discussion on the comment section of the blog.

If anyone here wants to join in, then please do.

Tania

11th March 2011, 10:45 AM

Looks a really useful site, Margaret - well done and thank you.

What I really need is a card that I can carry in my pocket and give out to the many people who ask me where they can get a Cavalier puppy - just a nice picture and links to your site and Cavalier Matters. Might it be possible for someone to design and organise it and then sell them in aid of Rupert's Fund? I know I haven't got time at the moment (because of work), but I really need something!

Kate, Oliver and Aled

Have put a leaflet together, if anyone would like any, please let me know.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5517246950_7ca20db7d6.jpg

Margaret C

11th March 2011, 01:31 PM

I'm tickled pink ( and mauve and lavender, however you care to describe the colours ) at the leaflets.

Like Ruperts Fund, Tania's awareness raising efforts for our cavaliers are wonderful illustrations of what determined pet owners can achieve.

I will look forward to handing these out from the beautifully designed stall that Tania takes round to events.

I think the next outing may be the London Pet Show at Olympia in May.....
http://www.londonpetshow.co.uk/, :c*t::d*g: or are you booked in for any others, Tania?

Tania

11th March 2011, 02:25 PM

I think the next outing may be the London Pet Show at Olympia in May.....
http://www.londonpetshow.co.uk/, :c*t::d*g: or are you booked in for any others, Tania?

I have put my name down for Discover Dogs in November and Paws in the Park in September, apparently this show is the biggest one in the country!